Dick Knight (golfer)
Encyclopedia
John Richard "Dick" Knight (December 26, 1929 – March 25, 1991) was an American professional golfer
.
Knight was born in Omaha, Nebraska
. He played college golf at Oklahoma A&M.
Knight work as a club pro in Hawaii
, where he won the Hawaiian Open and Hawaiian PGA Championship in 1952, in San Diego, California
, and at Field Club of Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska
. He also played on the PGA Tour
. His best finish in a major was 10th at the 1959 U.S. Open. He opened the tournament with a 69 to tie for the lead with Ben Hogan
, Dow Finsterwald
, and Gene Littler
.
Knight, a Navy veteran, died in California of lung cancer. He was buried in Riverside National Cemetery
.
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
.
Knight was born in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. He played college golf at Oklahoma A&M.
Knight work as a club pro in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, where he won the Hawaiian Open and Hawaiian PGA Championship in 1952, in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, and at Field Club of Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. He also played on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
. His best finish in a major was 10th at the 1959 U.S. Open. He opened the tournament with a 69 to tie for the lead with Ben Hogan
Ben Hogan
William Ben Hogan was an American golfer, generally considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game...
, Dow Finsterwald
Dow Finsterwald
Dow Henry Finsterwald, Sr. is an American professional golfer who is best known for winning the 1958 PGA Championship. He won 11 Tour titles between 1955 and 1963, played on four Ryder Cup teams, and served as non-playing captain for the 1977 U.S. Ryder Cup team.Finsterwald was born and raised in...
, and Gene Littler
Gene Littler
Gene Alec Littler is an American professional golfer. Known for a solid temperament and nicknamed "Gene the Machine" for his smooth rhythmical swing, he once said that, "Golf is not a game of great shots. It's a game of the best misses. The people who win make the smallest mistakes."-Early years...
.
Knight, a Navy veteran, died in California of lung cancer. He was buried in Riverside National Cemetery
Riverside National Cemetery
Riverside National Cemetery is a cemetery located in Riverside, California, dedicated to the interment of United States military personnel. The cemetery covers , making it the third-largest cemetery managed by the National Cemetery Administration...
.
Professional wins
- 1952 Hawaiian Open, Hawaiian PGA Championship
- 1958 California State OpenCalifornia State OpenThe California State Open is the California state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Southern California section of the PGA of America. It was first played in 1900 and has been played at a variety of courses around the state...
, Northern California OpenNorthern California OpenThe Northern California Open is a golf tournament played in the Northern California, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is run by the Northern California section of the PGA of America. It has been played annually since 1920 at a variety of courses around the state... - 1960 Iowa OpenIowa OpenThe Iowa Open is the Iowa state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Iowa section of the PGA of America...